Cover for open bed vehicles

ABSTRACT

A detachable cover for open bed vehicles such as pickup trucks or the like. A pair of track means are coupled to the top of each of the truck sides and extend substantially the length of the bed from the cab of the vehicle to the tail gate. Each track means has an upper track and a lower track and transition slots therebetween. A forward planar rectangular panel is removeably mounted for sliding movement in the upper track and is positionable adjacent the cab and extends approximately half the distance from the cab to the tail gate. Means are provided to prevent the forward panel from passing through the slots to the lower track. The rear panel is also planar and rectangular and is removeably and slideably mounted in the track means. When the rear panel is in the upper track it extends from the rear edge of the forward panel to the tail gate. In this closed position, the two panels are substantially coplanar and coextensive with the bed of the vehicle and cover the storage area of the vehicle. The rear panel can also move through the transition slots between the upper track and the lower track and, moving in the lower track, to a position adjacent the cab and substantailly coextensive with the forward panel for providing access to the storage volume. The panels may be locked in a plurality of positions, at least one of the plurality being the closed position to lock the storage volume. Locking of the tail gate to the to the rear panel provides a locked storage volume. Gasketing in included to provide a substantially water tight engagement of the structure with the vehicle.

United States Patent [191 Deshores Oct. 2, 1973 COVER FOR OPEN BEDVEHICLES Robert E. Deshores, San Pedro, Calif.

[75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Lock Top Corporation, Gardena,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Nov. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 200,916

Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R. SongAttorneyFinkelstein & Mueth [57] I ABSTRACT A detachable cover for openbed vehicles such as pickup trucks or the like. A pair of track meansare coupled tothe top of each of the truck sides and extendsubstantially the length of the bed from the cab of the vehicle to thetail gate. Each track means has an upper track and a lower track andtransition slots therebetween. A forward planar rectangular panel isremoveably mounted for sliding movement in the upper track and ispositionable adjacent the cab and extends approximately half thedistance from the cab to the tail gate. Means are provided to preventthe forward panel from passing through the slots to the lower track. Therear panel is also planar and rectangular and is removeably andslideably mounted in the track means. When the rear panel is in theupper track it extends from the rear edge of the forward panel to thetail gate. In this closed position, the two panels are substantiallycopla' nar and coextensive with the bed of the vehicle and cover thestorage area of the vehicle. The rear panel can also move through thetransition slots between the upper track and the lower track and, movingin the lower track, to a position adjacent the cab and substantaillycoextensive with the forward panel for providing access to the storagevolume. The panels may be locked in a plurality of positions, at leastone of the plurality being the closed position to lock the storagevolume. Locking of the tail gate to the to the rear panel provides alocked storage volume. Gasketing in included to provide a substantiallywater tight engagement of the structure with the vehicle.

10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTED [JET 2 731 SHEET 2 OF 3 COVER FOROPEN BED VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to slideable covers and more particularly, to aslideable cover arrangement for vehicles of the type having an open bed,such as pickup trucks or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the utilization of open bed vehicles,such as pickup trucks or the like, it is often desirable to provide acover arrangement for the open bed of such vehicles in order to enclosethe storage volume. Preferably, such a cover should be easily manuallyoperable and removeably mounted on the pickup truck so that for thoseapplications where it is not needed, it may be quickly and easilyremoved therefrom to allow utilization of the pickup truck with an openbed. Further, it is often desired for such covers to provide acomparatively low wind resistance when installed in order to providegreater economy of operation of the vehicles.

Additionally, locking means are often also desired with such aremoveable cover arrangement so that the entire storage volume of thevehicle may be locked when the covers are in place and such lockingmeans also, preferably, locks the tail gate in the up position so thataccess to the storage volume thus enclosed remains secure.

In general, these desiderata have not been achieved in the coverstructures utilized in the prior art. For example, in many such coverarrangements, the covers were not conveniently or easily removed afterinstallation on the vehicle. In others, the cover, when in the extendedand locked position, was not a substantially planar assembly forminimizing wind resistance.

In those of the prior art cover structures in which telescoping memberswere utilized, they have generally not proven to be acceptable forall'applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an improved cover arrangement for open bedvehicles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a manuallyoperable removeable cover for open bed vehicles.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a coverarrangement for open bed vehicles in which the cover, when in anextended position for substantially enclosing the bed of the vehicle,provides a planar upper surface to minimize wind resistance and may belocked in that position to prevent unauthorized access to the storagevolume enclosed.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved byproviding a pair of generally E-shaped track means defining an upper anda lower track mounted in parallel relationship on the top edges ofopposite sides of the open bed truck extending from the cab to the tailgate. A substantially rectangular planar forward panel is resilientlymounted on wheel means and the wheel means mount the forward panel inthe upper of the two tracks provided by the E-shaped track means. Thepanel may be slideably removed from the upper track as desired and ispositionable in the track means adjacent the cab and extendsapproximately half the distance to the tail gate. A substantiallyrectangular planar rear panel is also removably mounted in the trackmeans on resiliently mounted wheel means and positionable in the uppertrack means adjacent the tail gate and extends to the rear edge of theforward panel to enclose the storage volume in a closed condition.

The rear panel is also movable from the upper track through transitionslots between the upper track and lower track to the lower track. Therear panel may be positioned, while in the lower track, adjacent the caband under the forward panel in an open condition to allow easy access tothe storage volume.

The ends of the E-shaped track means adjacent the tail gate are open toallow installation and removal of the panels therebetween when the tailgate is in the open position. i

The panels are preferably light in weight, since they are manuallyoperated but also must be sufficiently rigid to withstand the intendeduse. Accordingly, the forward and rear panels are similarly constructedof an upper and lower skin with honeycomb bonded therebetween. A channelmeans extends around the peripheral edges of the panel. The top surfacesof the panels are planar and, in the closed position, provide asubstantially coplanar configuration for minimizing drag.

Locking means are also provided for locking the forward and rear panelsto the track means in a plurality of positions including at least theopen condition and the closed condition.

Since the sides of the open bed truck may often be bowed or otherwisenon-parallel, the wheel means on the forward and rear panels areresiliently mounted thereon to allow inward and outward movement thereofwith respect to the panels to accommodate such misalignment.

Gasketing is provided so that a water tight sealing relationship isachieved for the structure protecting the storage volume and/or thecontents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a pickuptruck provided with the improved cover according to the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates, partially in section, a track means useful in thepractice of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rear panel useful in the practice of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a forward panel useful in the practice of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a mounting arrangement useful in the practice of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line l2l2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-43 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown one embodiment of the present invention and generallydesignated that is utilized in an open bed vehicle 12 which, forexample, may be a pickup truck. The open bed vehicle 12 has cab 14, abase 16 coupled to the cab and a tail gate 18 pivotally mounted on thebase 16 and spaced from the cab 14. The open bed vehicle 12 also has afirst upstanding side wall member 20 coupled to the base 16 and a secondupstanding side wall member 22 coupled to the base 16. The rear wall 24of the cab 14 together with the tail gate 18, base 16 and side walls 20and 22 define a storage volume 25 so that articles may be stored thereinand the cover locked in a plurality of positions, at least one of theplurality of positions comprising a closed conditionproviding asubstantially planar cover array locked to the side walls 20 and 22 andlocking the tail gate 18 in its closed position.

The present embodiment 10 generally comprises a first track means 26coupled to an upper edge 28 of the first sidewall 20 and a second trackmeans 30 coupled to an upper edge 32 of the second side wall 22. Thefirst track means 26 and second track means 30 are substantiallyidentical and are described below in greater detail.

A forward panel 34 is slideably and removably mounted in the track means26 and 30 and extends from the rear wall 24 of the cab 14 to a rear edge96 thereof positioned intermediate the rear wall 24 and the tail gate18. A rear panel 36 is removably and slideably mounted in the trackmeans 26 and 30 and, for the position shown in FIG. 2, extends from therear edge 96 of the forward panel 34 to the tail gate 18. This positionof the forward panel 34 and rear panel 36 may be considered a closedcondition for the embodiment l0.

The-rear panel 36 is provided with a lock means 38 forlocking the rearpanel 36 in the closed position. The

' lockineans 38 is described below in greater detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, there is illustrated the track means26 which, as noted above, is substantially identical to the track means30. As shown, the track means 26 has first walls 40 defining an uppertrack 41, second walls 42 defining a lower track 43 and third walls 44defining a first transition slot 46 and a second transition slot 48. Thetransition slots 46 and 48 have a preselected width indicated by theletter d on FIG. 3, and are spaced a preselected distance apart and apreselected distance from the open end 26'. The first track means 26 andsecond track means 30 are, of course, in substantially parallelrelationship with each other when mounted on the side members 20 and 22,respectively, and extend from the rear wall. 24 of the cab 14 to thetail gate 18.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 5, the track means 26 is generallyE-shaped and has a vertically disposed side portion 50, a top flangeportion 52, a middle flange portion 54 and a lower flange portion 56.The top flange portion 52 and middle flange portion 54 define the uppertrack 41. The middle flange portion and lower flange portion 56 definethe lower track 43. The upper flange portion 52 is provided with thefirst walls 58 extending from the first flange 52 a preselected distance towards the middle flange 54. The first wall 58 is substantiallyparallel to the side portion 50 and is spaced therefrom. The middleflange 54 has a second wall 60 extending upwardly substantially coplanarwith first wall 58 and define a first gap 62. The middle flange 54 isalso provided with a third wall 64 extending vertically downwardsubstantially parallel to the side por' tion 50 a preselected distancetowards the lower flange 56. The lower flange 56 has a fourth wall 66extending vertically upwards towards the third wall 64. The third wall64 and fourth wall 66 are substantially coplanar and define a second gap68 therebetween. The lower flange 56 is also provided with a fifth wall70 extending vertically downwards from the lower flange 56 a preselecteddistance.

The upper flange 52 is also provided with a first horizontally disposedportion 72 that extends outwardly over the top edge 28 of the sidemember 20 and a second horizontally disposed portion 74 extending apreselected distance inwardly over the forward panel 34 and rear panel36. A track gasket means 76 is coupled to the upper flange 52 andprovides water tight sealing between the track means 26 and the upperedge 28 of the side member 20, and water tight sealing between the uppersurface 102 of the forward panel 34 and, as described below in greaterdetail, between the upper surface 120 of the rear panel 36 by means ofthe protuberances 77 for the condition of the rear panel 36 in theclosed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The forward panel 34 has mounting means 78 that are slideably mounted inthe upper track 41 and the forward panel 34 is also provided withrestraining means, described below in greater detail, for restrainingthe upper panel 34 in the upper track 41 and preventing the mountingmeans 78 from entering the transition slots 46 and 48. This prevents theforward panel 34 from entering the lower track 43.

The rear panel 36 is slideably mounted in the track means 26 and 30 bythe mounting means 80. The mounting means 80 are similar to the mountingmeans 78 and is positioned in the upper track 41 upon installation ofthe rear panel 36 in the track means 26 and 30. The rear panel 36 maymove towards the cab 14 until the mounting means 80 encounter thetransition slots 46 and 48. Mounting means 80 pass through thetransition slots 46 and 48 for positioning the rear panel 36 in thelower track 43. When in the lower track 43 it may be moved forwardlytoward the rear wall 24 of the cab 14 and be in substantial coextensiveposition under the forward panel 34. This position may be called an opencondition.

To aid in the transfer of the rear panel 36 from the upper track 41 tothe lower track 43, in preferred embodiments of the present invention,guide block means 82 and 84, FIGS. 3 and 4, are positioned on the trackmeans 26 in the lower track 43 thereof. The slanting face 82' and 84' ofthe guide block means 82 and 84, respectively, allow a smooth transitionof the mounting means 80 from the upper track 81 to the lower track 43and return. As shown in FIG. 3, in preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, the transitions slots I 46 and 48 slant downwardly andforwardly from the upper track 41 to the lower track 43 and the angle ofthe walls 44 is preferably on the order of 30, as indicated by theletter a on FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there isshown a plan view of the rear panel 36.As shown, the rear panel 36 is substantially rectangular and has aforward edge 86, a rear edge 89 and a pair of sides edges 90 and 92. Therear panel 36 is provided with rigid block means 88 at each comerthereof and the mounting means 80 are resiliently coupled thereto forresiliently allowing lateral movement of the mounting means 80 withrespect to the panel 36 in the directions indicated by the doubleendedarrow 90' as may be caused by, for example,

slight bowing of the side members and/or 22, which, in turn, would bowthe track means 26 and 30. As described below in greater detail, themounting means 80 provides for a resilient and extendable mounting toallow for such non-linearity. The mounting means 80 generally comprise apair of forward wheel means 80' and a pair of rear wheel means 80". Theforward wheel means 80' may be spaced the preselected distance form thepair of rear wheel means 80" corresponding to the separation between thetransition slots 46 and 48 in the track means 26 and 30. Alternatively,in some embodiments, the spacing betweeen the forward wheel means 80'and rear wheel means 80" may be slightly greater than the spacingbetween the slots 46 and 48 so that the forward wheel means 80' entersslot 48 just before the rear wheel means 80" enters slot 46. Thus, whenthe rear panel 36 is moved in the upper track 41 the forward wheel means80' may enter the forward transition slot 48 at the same time as therear wheel means 80" may enter the rear transition slot 46. in eitherembodiment, the rear panel 36 is thus lowered into the lower track 43.

FIG. 7 illustrates the forward panel 34 and, as shown thereon, theforward panel 34 is also substantially rectangular and is provided withrigid block means 92 at each corner thereof. The rigid block means 92are similar to the rigid block means 88 in the rear panel 36 and themounting means 78 of the forward panel 34 are resiliently coupledtherein. The forward panel 34 has a forward edge 94, a rear edge 96 anda pair of side edges 98 and 100.

The mounting means 78, in the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, comprise a first pair of forward wheel means 78' mounted inthe blocks 92 and a second pair of forward wheel means 78" mounted inthe rigid blocks 92. The spacing between the first pair of forward wheelmeans 78' and the second pair of forward wheel means 78" is greater thanthe preselected width d of the transition slots 46 and 48. The mountingmeans 78 also comprises a first pair of rear wheel means 78" resilientlymounted in the rigid block means 92 and a second pair of rear wheelmeans 78"" resiliently mounted in the rigid blocks 92. The spacingbetween the first pair of rear wheel means 78" and the second pair ofrear wheel means 78"" on the rear panel 34 is also greater than thepreselected distance width d of the transition slots 46 and 48. Each ofthe wheel means 78', 78", 78", and 78"" of the forward panel 34 and thewheel means 80' and 80" of the rear panel 36 are substantially identicaland their construction is described below. The mounting means 78 intheforward panel 34 is also resiliently mounted in the forward panel 34 forallowing lateral movement of the mounting means 78 with respect to theforward panel 34 in the direction indicated by the double ended arrow90' for the reasons as discussed above in connection with the rear panel36.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2 andillustrates a preferred construction for the forward panel 34 and therear panel 36. It will be appreciated that, as noted above, the forwardpanel 34 and rear panel 36 are preferably light in weight to allow easyinstallation and removal thereof from the track means 26 and 30 as wellas comparatively easy movement when sliding in the track means from oneposition to another. Thus, the construction of the forward panel 34 andrear panel 36 are substantially similar except for the differencesnoted. The forward panel 34 is provided with an upper skin means, which,for example, may be a thin sheet metal skin, generally designated 102and a spaced apart lower skin means 104, which may also be a thin sheetmetal skin. A channel means 106 extends around the forward edge 94, sideedges 98 and 100 and rear edge 96. A lightweight honeycomb structure 108is coupled to and is intermediate the upper skin 102 and lower skin 104in preselected portions generally comprising all of the areatherebetween except for the portions occupied by the rigid blocks 92.The rigid blocks 92 may be fabricated from any rigid material such aslightweight aluminum, wood or the like.

A cab gasket 1 10 is coupled to the channel 106 along the forward edge94 and provides a water tight sealing relationship with the rear wall 24of the cab 14 for the closed condition.

The channel means 106 extending along the rear edge 96 of the forwardpanel 96 has an extended portion 112 provided with a sealing edge 114extending between the sides edges 98 and 100. As described below, theedge 1 l4 cooperates in providing a water tight sealing relationshipbetween the forward panel 34 and the rear panel 36 in the closedcondition. The sealing edge 114 is preferably at an angle generallyindicated by the letter b on FIG. 8 which is preferably on the order of30.

The rear panel 36 is constructed in a manner similar to the forwardpanel 34 and is generally comprised of an upper skin means 120, a lowerskin means 122 spaced therefrom and a honeycomb structure 124 coupled toand intermediate the upper skin and lower skin 122 in substantially allareas therebetween except the areas occupied by the rigid block means88. The rear panel 36 is also provided with a channel means 126extending around the rear edge 89, side edges 90 and 92 and forward edge86 thereof.

A rear gasket 128 is coupled to the channel means 126 along the rearedge 89 and extending between the side edges 90 and 92. The rear gasket128 engages the tail gate 18 to provide a water tight sealingrelationship therewith when the tail gate 18 is closed and the forwardpanel 34 and rear panel 36 are in the closed position.

The channel means 126 extending along the forward edge 86 of the rearpanel 36 is provided with an extension 130 having walls 132 thereindefining a gasket receiving aperture. A gasket 134 is positioned in thegasket receiving aperture and extends above edge 136 on the extension130 between the side walls 86 and 89 for water tight sealing engagementwith the sealing edge 114 of the extension 112 of the channel 106 on theforward panel 34. This sealing engagement occurs when the rear panel 36and the forward panel 34 are in the closed condition. The edge 136 ofthe channel 126 is substantially parallel to the edge 114 of the channel106.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11 there is illustrated the mounting means80 on the rear panel 36. As noted above, the mounting means 80', 80",78', 78", 78" and 78"" are all substantially identical in constructionand are generally comprised of a wheel 140 which, for example, may be aball bearing wheel in which the rim 142 rotates on the balls 144 thatare contained between the rim 144 and an inner race 146. The inner race146 is rigidly coupled to an axle means 148. The axle means 148generally comprises a central shaft 150, a first roll pin 152 and asecond roll pin 154. The shaft 150 extends from regions within anaperture 156 in the rigid block 88 to the wheel 140. The first roll pin148 is force fit on the shaft 150 and extends from the wheel 140 apreselected distance into the aperture 156. The second roll pin 154 isprovided with a slide fit on the first roll pin 152 and the externalsurface 154' thereof is force fit for a rigid non-rotating coupling inthe aperture 156 of the rigid block 88. A spring means 156 extendsbetween the head 150' of the shaft 150 and a washer 158 bearing againstthe rigidly held second roll pin 154. The spring means 156 provides theresilient mounting for the mounting means 80'. For the particularpreferred structure illustrated in FIG. 10, the spring means 156resiliently urges the shaft 150 in the direction indicated by the arrow160 and resiliently resists movement of the wheel means 140 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 162. Thus, the wheel means 140 ismovable together with the shaft 150 and first roll pin 152 in thedirections indicated by the arrow 160 and 162 to accommodate bowing orother non-parallel alignment of the side members and 22 of the vehicle12.

In operation, when it is desired to install the forward panel 34 andrear panel 36 on the vehicle 12, the mounting means 78 on the forwardpanel 34 are slid into the upper track 41 of the track means 26 and 30from the open end 26' and 30' which is adjacent the tail gate 18 andthen slid forward in the upper track 41 towards the cab 14. The spacingof the mounting means 78, as described above in connection with FIG. 7,prevents the mounting means 78 from passing into the transition slots 46and 48 and thus prevents the forward panel 34 from being positioned inthe lower track 43. The mounting means 80 of the rear panel 36 are thenslid into the upper track 41 from the open end 26 and 30' of the trackmeans 26 and 30 and pushed forward until the gasket 134 engages thesealing edge 114 on the forward panel 34. The tail gate may then beclosed, slightly compressing the forward gasket 110 and rear gasket 128,to provide water tight sealing relationship. This provides the closedcondition.

If it is desired to provide an open position, the rear panel 36 ispressed forwardly against the forward panel 34 compressing the cabgasket 110 and gasket 134 to a greater extent and allowing slightforward movement of the rear panel 36. The slight forward movement issufficient to allow the forward wheel means 80 and rear wheel means 80"to enter the forward transition slot 48 and rear transition slot 46,respectively, either simultaneously or sequentially, depending on therelative spacing of the slots 46 and 48, with respect to the spacing ofthe wheel means 80' and 80". This allows the rear panel 36 to slide downthe transition slots and be positioned in the lower track 43. In thelower track .43, the rear panel 36 may be slid forwardly as far asdesired or until it is adjacent the rear wall 24 of the cab 14 where itis underneath the forward panel 34.

In order to prevent shock loading when the rear wheel means 80"encounter the edges 84" (FIG. 3) of guide block 84, it is preferred toplace resilient bumpers 85 in the lower track 43. The bumpers 85 arespaced so that the forward edge 86 of the rear panel 36 engages thebumpers 85 before the rear wheel means 80" strikes edges 84". Thisposition of rear panel 36 is the maximum forward position thereof and isthe open condition.

To return the rear panel 36 to the upper track it is only necessary tomove the rear panel towards the tail gate until the mounting meansengages the transition slots 46 and 48 and pull slightly upward on thelock means 38. to move the panel into the upper track 41 from the lowertrack 43. Thus, the transition slots 46 and 48 are spaced apart acooperative distance with respect to the mounting means 80' and 80" onthe rear panel 36 and the transition slots 46 and 48 are spaced apreselected distance from the end 26' adjacent the tail gate 18 of thetrack means 26. The preselected distance from the tail gate 18 isdetermined by the compressibility of cab gasket and gasket 134.

Both the forward panel 34 and rear panel 36 may be quickly and easilyremoved from the track means 26 and 30 when desired by sliding them outof the upper track 41. Since this is generally a manual operation inboth installation and removal, as well as moving of the forward panel 34and rear panel 36, it is preferred that they be of the comparativelylightweight contruction as described above in connection with FIG. 8.

As noted above, it is often desirable to lock the rear panel 36 and/orthe forward panel 34 in one or more positions. One position in which itis preferred to provide such locking is the closed condition asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8. As shown on FIGS. 1 and 12, the lockmeans 38 provided on the rear panel 36 is a cam lock type fastener, suchas that manufactured by Corbin Lock Company, and which may also beprovided with a key lock for security purposes. The lock means 38 has ahandle 180 extending above the upper skin of the rear panel 36. Itextends through the panel 36 to regions underneath the lower skin 122thereof. The connecting portion extending below the lower skin 122 isoperatively connected to a first rod means 184 and a second rod means186. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12, the portion 180' of thehandle is pivotally connected to the first rod 184 and second rod 186and upon rotation of the handle in the direction indicated by the arrow190, which is the unlocking direction, and the arrow 192, which is thelocking direction, the first rod means 184 and second rod means 186 aremoved in the directions indicated by the double-ended arrows 194. Agenerally hat-shaped support 196 may be coupled to the lower skin 122for supporting the rods 184 and 186 to guide them in proper alignmentfor locking. Locking is achieved by the extension of the rods 184 and186 into apertures, such as aperture 198, FIG. 3, in the track means 26.Similar apertures are provided in the track means 30 for looking withthe second rod 186.

As shown on FIG. 3, a plurality of locking apertures 198 may be providedin the track means 26 and track means 30 and a portion of the pluralityof apertures 198 may be engaged by the first rod 184 and second rod 186.Thus, aperture 198' may be utilized for locking in the closed conditionwhen the rear panel 36 is in the upper track 41. Other locking apertures198" and 198" may be utilized to lock the rear panel 26 in otherpositions when in the lower track 43.

For the closed condition, it is often desirable to lock the tail gate 18in its closed condition. To achieve this, it is preferred to provide aclip. means 200 coupled to the inside surface 18 of the tail gate 18 andthe clip means 200 has an aperture 203 through which the first rod 184passes in the locking condition. When the handle 180 is rotated in thedirection indicated by the arrow 190, the rod 184 moves out of theaperturel98 and out of the aperture 203 to provide unlocking of the rearpanel 36 and the tail gate 18. The structure for providing lockingthrough the second rod 186 is similar to that described above.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a preferred locking arrangement205 for the forward panel 34. As shown on FIG. 13, the channel means 106on'the rear edge 94 of the forward panel 34 in the extension portion 112thereof is provided with walls 201 defining a guide aperture 202therein. A slide bar 204 is resiliently mounted in the aperture 202 by aspring 206. The slide bar 204 has a tab portion 209 for manual grippingto move the slide bar 204 in the directions indicated by thedouble-ended arrow 208. A stop means 207 is coupled to the walls 201 inthe aperture 202. The spring means 206 abuts against the slide bar 204and resiliently urges the slide bar 204 to enter certain of the lockapertures 198, such as lock apertures 198a or l98b and thus retain theforward panel 34 in a locked position with respect to the first trackmeans 26 and second track means 30. When it is desired .to move theforward panel 34 the tab 209 is manually grasped and the slide bar 204is moved inwardly to clear the lock aperture 198.

It will be appreciated that a similar lock bar arrangement 211 isprovided adjacent the second track means 30. It is preferred that thetabs 209 oneach lock bar arrangement 205 and 211 be spaced to allowsimultaneous grasping thereof to actuate both lock bars at the same timefor both locking and unlocking.

This concludes the description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention. As can be seen there has been provided a lightweighteasily operable closure arrangement for pickup trucks and the like whichmay be easily installed as desired. Further, the closure arrangementprovides a substantially planar surface when in the closed position tominimize wind drag and thereby increase gas mileage. Those skilled inthe art may find many variatons and adaptations of thee presentinvention and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchvariations and adaptations falling within the true scope and spiritthereof.

I claim:

1. In combination:

an open bed vehicle having a cab, a base coupled to said cab, a tailgate pivotally mounted on said base in spaced apart relationship to saidcab, a first and a second upstanding, spaced apart side wall member eachhaving a lower edge coupled to said base and a top edge spaced therefromand said side wall members extending from said cab to said tail gate anddefining a storage volume therewith;

a first and a second substantially identical track means having wallsdefining an upper track, a lower track and transition slot means betweensaid upper and lower tracks, and said first track means coupled to saidfirst side member in spaced relationship to said base, and extendingfrom regions adjacent said cab to regions adjacent said tail gate, andsaid second track means coupled to said second side member in parallelrelationship with said first track means and in spaced relationship tosaid base and extending from regions adjacent said cab to regionsadjacent said tail gate;

a substantially planar, rectangular, forward panel extending laterallybetween said first and second track means, having mounting meansremovably and slideably mountable in said upper tracks of said first-andsaid second track means, and said forward panel movable therein in aplurality of posi tions from regions adjacent said tail gate to a closedcondition in regions adjacent said cab;

restraining means for restraining said forward panel in said upper trackfor preventing transition of said mounting means on said forward paneltherefrom through said transition slot means to said lower track;

a substantially planar, rectangular rear panel extending laterallybetween said first and second track means and having mounting meansremovably and slideably mountable in said first and second track meansand movable in a plurality of positions therein in said upper track fromregions adjacent said tail gatein said closed condition through saidtransition slot means and into said lower track for positioning thereinin an open condition in regions adjacent said cab and intermediate saidforward panel and said base, and said forward panel and said rear panelsubstantially coplanar for said closed condition, and in said closedcondition said forward panel and said rear panel together extendingsubstantially continuously from said cab to said tail gate to cover saidstorage volume;

lock means for locking at least one of said forward and said rear panelsin at least one of said plurality of positions.

2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: each of said first andsecond track means comprises:

a generally E-shaped member having a vertically disposed side portion, atop flange portion, a middle flange portion and a lower flange portion,and said top flange portion and said middle flange portion defining saidupper track means, and said lower flange portion and said middle flangeportion defining said lower track means, and said top flange portionhaving a first wall substantially parallel to said side portion andextending from said top flange a preselected distance towards saidmiddle flange, said middle flange having a second wall substantiallyparallel to said side portion and extending upwardly towards said firstwall and defining a first gap therewith, and said middle flange having athird wall extending from said middle flange towards'said lower flange apreselected distance, and said lower flange having a fourth wallextending a preselected distance toward said third wall and defining asecond gap portion therewith, and said upper flange having a firsthorizontally disposed portion extending over said top edge of said sidemember and a second horizontally disposed position extending apreselected distance over said base;

said transition slot means in each of said first and second track meanscomprises walls defining a pair of apertures, comprising a forward.aperture and a rear aperture spaced a first preselected distance apartand predetermined distances from said tail gate and extending throughsaid middle flange, said second wall and said third wall of said trackmeans and having a a preselected width, and a guide means in said lowertrack adjacent each of said spaced apart apertures for guidingtransition of said mounting means of said rear panel between said uppertrack and said lower track;

said mounting means on said rear panel comprises a pair of forward wheelmeans resiliently coupled to said rear panel and a pair of rear wheelmeans resiliently coupled to said rear panel, and each of said forwardwheel means and said rear wheel means having an axle having a first anda second end, and a wheel rotatably mounted on said first end of saidaxle, one of said forward pair of wheels and one of said rear pair ofwheels mounted in each of said track means and said axles thereofextendable through said first and said second gap, and said forward pairof wheel means spaced a second preselected distance apart from said rearpair of wheel means for allowing transition of said rear panel from saidupper track through said transition slot means to said lower track, andsaid resilient mounting of said wheel means resiliently resistinglateral movement of said mounting means with respect to said rear panel.I

3. The arrangement defined in claim 2 wherein: said mounting means onsaid forward panel comprises:

a first and second pair of forward wheel means resiliently coupled tosaid forward panel, and each having an axle having a first end and asecond end and a wheel rotatably mounted on said first end of said axle,and saidwheels mounted in said upper track of said track means and saidaxle extendable through said first gap, and a first and a second pair ofrear wheel means resiliently coupled to said forward panel, and eachhaving an axle having a first end and a second end and a wheel rotatablymounted on said first end of said axle, and said wheels mounted in saidupper track and said axles extending through said first gap, and saidfirst pair of forward wheel means spaced from said second pair offorward wheel means a distance greater than said preselected width ofsaid transition slot means, and said first pair of rear wheel meansspaced from said second pair of rear wheel means a distance greater thansaid preselected width of said transition slot means, and said secondpair of forward and rear wheel means on said forward panel comprisessaid means for restraining said forward panel in said upper track, andsaid resilient mounting of said wheel means on said forward panelresiliently resisting lateral movement of said mounting means withrespect to said forward panel; I

a resilient track gasket means on said first and said secondhorizontally disposed portions of said upper flange for providing watertight sealing relationship between said track means and said top edge ofsaid side member and between said track means and said forward and rearpanels.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein each of said forward andrear panels further comprises:

a forward edge, a rear edge, and a pair of side edges;

an upper skin means;

a lower skin means;

a honeycomb structure means coupled to said upper and lower skin meansand disposed in preselected postions therebetween;

rigid block means mounted in each corner between said upper skin meansand said lower skin means and bonded thereto, and said second end ofeach of said axles resiliently mounted in said rigid block means;

a rigid channel means between said upper skin means and said lower skinmeans coupled thereto and extending around said forward edge, said rearedge, and said side edges;

said rear panel means having a rear gasket coupled to said channel meansalong said rear edge for water tight sealing relationship with said tailgate for the condition-of said rear panel adjacent said tail gate;

said forward panel having a cab gasket coupled to said channel meansalong said forward edge for water tight sealing relationship with saidcab for the condition of said forward panel adjacent said cab; and

sealing means intermediate said forward edge of said rear panel and saidrear edge of said forward panel for providing water tight sealingrelationship therebetween for said forward panel and said rear panel insaid closed condition; and a said upper skin means of said forward andrear panels in water tight sealing relationship to said track gasket.

S. The arrangement defined in claim 4 wherein:

said sealing means comprises a gasket means retained in said channelmeans on said forward edge of said rear panel and said gasket meansresiliently engaging said channel means on said rear edge of saidforward panel.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 5 wherein: said lock means furthercomprises:

a cam lock means on said rear panel adjacent said rear edge thereof andhaving a handle means having a gripping portion extending through saidupper skin means, and a connector portion extending below said lowerskin, a first rod means operatively connected to said connector portionunder said lower skin means and extending from said connector portion tosaid first track means, and a second rod means operatively connected tosaid connector portion under said lower skin means and extending fromsaid connector portion to said second track means;

said first and second track means having walls defining a plurality ofrod accepting lock apertures therein, a first portion of said pluralityof lock apertures for receiving said first and said second rod means forthe condition of locking said rear panel;

said tail gate comprises a clip means coupled thereto and having wallsdefining a rod receiving aperture therein for receiving one of saidfirst and said second rod means therethrough for locking said tail gatefor said rear panel adjacent thereto in said closed condition.

7. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein said lock means furthercomprises:

walls defining guide apertures in said channel means on said rear edgeof said forward panel and adjacent said side members;

a first manually operable slide bar resiliently mounted in said guideapertures adjacent a first side edge of said forward panel, a secondmanually operable slide bar resiliently mounted in said guide apertureadjacent a second side edge of said forward panel, and said slide barsextendable into at least one of said lock apertures in said first andsecnd track means for the condition of locking said forward panel incondition. closed condition 8. The arrangement defined in claim 7wherein said first preselected distance is less than said secondpreselected distance, whereby said forward wheel means on said rearpanel enters said forward aperture of said transition slot meansslightly before said rear wheel means on said rear panel enters saidrear aperture of said transition slot means.

9. The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein said first preselecteddistance is substantially the same as said second preselected distancewhereby said forward wheel means of said rear panel enters said forwardaperture of said transition slot means substantially simulmeans for saidpanels in said open condition.

1. In combination: an open bed vehicle having a cab, a base coupled tosaid cab, a tail gate pivotally mounted on said base in spaced apartrelationship to said cab, a first and a second upstanding, spaced apartside wall member each having a lower edge coupled to said base and a topedge spaced therefrom and said side wall members extending from said cabto said tail gate and defining a storage volume therewith; a first and asecond substantially identical track means having walls defining anupper track, a lower track and transition slot means between said upperand lower tracks, and said first track means coupled to said first sidemember in spaced relationship to said base, and extending from regionsadjacent said cab to regions adjacent said tail gate, and said secondtrack means coupled to said second side member in parallel relationshipwith said first track means and in spaced relationship to said base andextending from regions adjacent said cab to regions adjacent said tailgate; a substantially planar, rectangular, forward panel extendinglaterally between said first and second track means, having mountingmeans removably and slideably mountable in said upper tracks of saidfirst and said second track means, and said forward panel movabletherein in a plurality of positions from regions adjacent said tail gateto a closed condition in regions adjacent said cab; restraining meansfor restraining said forward panel in said upper track for preventingtransition of said mounting means on said forward panel therefromthrough said transition slot means to said lower track; a substantiallyplanar, rectangular rear panel extending laterally between said firstand second track means and having mounting means removably and slideablymountable in said first and second track means and movable in aplurality of positions therein in said upper track from regions adjacentsaid tail gate in said closed condition through said transition slotmeans and into said lower track for positioning therein in an opencondition in regions adjacent said cab and intermediate said forwardpanel and said base, and said forward panel and said rear panelsubstantially coplanar for said closed condition, and in said closedcondition said forward panel and said rear panel together extendingsubstantially continuously from said cab to said tail gate to cover saidstorage volume; lock means for locking at least one of said forward andsaid rear panels in at least one of said plurality of positions.
 2. Thearrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: each of said first and secondtrack means comprises: a generally E-shaped member having a verticallydisposed side portion, a top flange portion, a middle flange portion anda lower flange portion, and said top flange portion and said middleflange portion defining said upper track means, and said lower flangeportion and said middle flange portion defining said lower track means,and said top flange portion having a first wall substantially parallelto said side portion and extending from said top flange a preselecteddistance towards said middle flange, said middle flange having a secondwall substantially parallel to said side portion and extending upwardlytowards said first wall and defining a first gap therewith, and saidmiddle flange having a third wall extending from said middle flangetowards said lower flange a preselected distance, and said lower flangehaving a fourth wall extending a preselected distance toward said thirdwall and defining a second gap portion therewith, and said upper flangehaving a first horizontally disposed portion extending over said topedge of said side member and a second horizontally disposed positionextending a preselected distance over said base; said transition slotmeans in each of said first and second track means comprises wallsdefining a pair of apertures, comprising a forward aperture and a rearaperture spaced a first preselected distance apart and predetermineddistances from said tail gate and extending through said middle flange,said second wall and said third wall of said track means and having a apreselected width, and a guide means in said lower track adjacent eachof said spaced apart apertures for guiding transition of said mountingmeans of said rear panel between said upper track and said lower track;said mounting means on said rear panel comprises a pair of forward wheelmeans resiliently coupled to said rear panel and a pair of rear wheelmeans resiliently coupled to said rear panel, and each of said forwardwheel means and said rear wheel means having an axle having a first anda second end, and a wheel rotatably mounted on said first end of saidaxle, one of said forward pair of wheels and one of said rear pair ofwheels mounted in each of said track means and said axles thereofextendable through said first and said second gap, and said forward pairof wheel means spaced a second preselected distance apart from said rearpair of wheel means for allowing transition of said rear panel from saidupper track through said transition slot means to said lower track, andsaid resilient mounting of said wheel means resiliently resistinglateral movement of said mounting means with respect to said rear panel.3. The arrangement defined in claim 2 wherein: said mounting means onsaid forward panel comprises: a first and second pair of forward wheelmeans resiliently coupled to said forward panel, and each having an axlehaving a first end and a second end and a wheel rotatably mounted onsaid first end of said axle, and said wheels mounted in said upper trackof said track means and said axle extendable through said first gap, anda first and a second pair of rear wheel means resiliently coupled tosaid forward panel, and each having an axle having a first end and asecond end and a wheel rotatably mounted on said first end of said axle,and said wheels mounted in said upper track and said axles extendingthrough said first gap, and said first pair of forward wheel meansspaced from said second pair of forward wheel means a distance greaterthan said preselected width of said transition slot means, and saidfirst pair of rear wheel means spaced from said second pair of rearwheel means a distance greater than said preselected width of saidtransition slot means, and said second pair of forward and rear wheelmeans on said forward panel comprises said means for restraining saidforward panel in said upper track, and said resilient mounting of saidwheel means on said forward panel resiliently resisting lateral movementof said mounting means with respect to said forward panel; a resilienttrack gasket means on said first and said second horizontally disposedportions of said upper flange for providing water tight sealingrelationship between said track means and said top edge of said sidemember and between said track means and said forward and rear panels. 4.The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein each of said forward and rearpanels further comprises: a forward edge, a rear edge, and a pair ofside edges; an upper skin means; a lower skin means; a honeycombstructure means coupled to said upper and lower skin means and disposedin preselected postions therebetween; rigid block means mounted in eachcorner between said upper skin means and said lower skin means andbonded thereto, and said second end of each of said axles resilientlymounted in said rigid block means; a rigid channel means between saidupper skin means and said lower skin means coupled thereto and extendingaround said forward edge, said rear edge, and said side edges; said rearpanel means having a rear gasket coupled to said channel means alongsaid rear edge for water tight sealing relationship with said tail gatefor the condition of said rear panel adjacent said tail gate; saidforward panel having a cab gasket coupled to said channel means alongsaid forward edge for watEr tight sealing relationship with said cab forthe condition of said forward panel adjacent said cab; and sealing meansintermediate said forward edge of said rear panel and said rear edge ofsaid forward panel for providing water tight sealing relationshiptherebetween for said forward panel and said rear panel in said closedcondition; and said upper skin means of said forward and rear panels inwater tight sealing relationship to said track gasket.
 5. Thearrangement defined in claim 4 wherein: said sealing means comprises agasket means retained in said channel means on said forward edge of saidrear panel and said gasket means resiliently engaging said channel meanson said rear edge of said forward panel.
 6. The arrangement defined inclaim 5 wherein: said lock means further comprises: a cam lock means onsaid rear panel adjacent said rear edge thereof and having a handlemeans having a gripping portion extending through said upper skin means,and a connector portion extending below said lower skin, a first rodmeans operatively connected to said connector portion under said lowerskin means and extending from said connector portion to said first trackmeans, and a second rod means operatively connected to said connectorportion under said lower skin means and extending from said connectorportion to said second track means; said first and second track meanshaving walls defining a plurality of rod accepting lock aperturestherein, a first portion of said plurality of lock apertures forreceiving said first and said second rod means for the condition oflocking said rear panel; said tail gate comprises a clip means coupledthereto and having walls defining a rod receiving aperture therein forreceiving one of said first and said second rod means therethrough forlocking said tail gate for said rear panel adjacent thereto in saidclosed condition.
 7. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein saidlock means further comprises: walls defining guide apertures in saidchannel means on said rear edge of said forward panel and adjacent saidside members; a first manually operable slide bar resiliently mounted insaid guide apertures adjacent a first side edge of said forward panel, asecond manually operable slide bar resiliently mounted in said guideaperture adjacent a second side edge of said forward panel, and saidslide bars extendable into at least one of said lock apertures in saidfirst and second track means for the condition of locking said forwardpanel in condition. closed condition
 8. The arrangement defined in claim7 wherein said first preselected distance is less than said secondpreselected distance, whereby said forward wheel means on said rearpanel enters said forward aperture of said transition slot meansslightly before said rear wheel means on said rear panel enters saidrear aperture of said transition slot means.
 9. The arrangement definedin claim 7 wherein said first preselected distance is substantially thesame as said second preselected distance whereby said forward wheelmeans of said rear panel enters said forward aperture of said transitionslot means substantially simultaneously with the rear wheel meansentering said rear aperture of said transition slot means.
 10. Thearrangement defined in claim 7 wherein said first and said second slidebars are spaced to be substantially simultaneously operable; and furthercomprising: resilient bumper means coupled to said track means in saidlower track thereof adjacent said cab for engaging said forward edge ofsaid rear panel before said rear wheels thereof engage said guide meansof said forward aperture of said transition slot means for said panelsin said open condition.